Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
Outcome 14
BIOSECURITY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Preparedness to respond to national health emergencies and risks,
including through surveillance, regulation, prevention, detection and leadership
in national health coordination
Outcome Strategy
Through Outcome 14, the Australian Government aims to strengthen the nation’s
capacity to identify, monitor and implement effective and sustained responses to
health threats or emergencies, thereby protecting public health. These health
threats and emergencies include mass casualty events, communicable disease
outbreaks, terrorism, natural disasters and environmental hazards.
The department will maintain its links with other Australian Government
agencies, state and territory governments and international agencies, to obtain
current information on the likelihood of a health emergency. The department will
also maintain a robust and timely communicable disease surveillance system to
detect, assess and respond to communicable disease threats in Australia and to
Australians overseas.
The Australian Government will undertake emergency response planning across
the health system and will audit health system preparedness to respond to any
emergency. In the event of a health emergency, the Government will use
established and tested plans and protocols. The Government will provide national
leadership by coordinating health care service provision across Australia through
the department’s National Incident Room, chairing the Australian Health
Protection Committee (AHPC), assisting states and territories to prioritise the use
of resources and providing a clearing house for information critical in managing an
emergency response.
In addition, the Australian Government, through the department, will continue to
provide human health risk assessment advice on the regulation of agricultural and
veterinary chemical products, drugs and poisons, and the import, export and
manufacture of controlled drugs and chemicals.
As a result of the Strategic Review, some programs have been consolidated into
new flexible funds. Outcome 14 now includes the Health Protection Fund
(Outcome 14.1). For further information on the outcomes of the Strategic Review,
please refer to Section 1.4, page 47.
Outcome 14 is the responsibility of the Office of Health Protection and Regulatory
Outco
Policy and Governance Division.
me |
14
363
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
Programs Contributing to Outcome 14
Program 14.1: Health emergency planning and response
Outcome 14 Budgeted Expenses and Resources
Table 14.1 provides an overview of the total expenses for Outcome 14 by Program.
Table 14.1: Budgeted Expenses and Resources for Outcome 14
2010-11 2011-12
Estim ated Estim ated
actual1 expenses 1
$'000 $'000
Program 14.1: Health em ergency planning and response 2
Administered expenses
Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill No. 1) 21,188 26,279
Non cash expenses - w rite dow n of assets 3 124,252 139,725
Special Accounts
Human Pituitory Hormones Special Account 140 140
Departmental expenses
Departmental appropriation4 24,401 24,603
Expenses not requiring appropriation in the budget year 5 1,438 1,579
Total for Program 14.1 171,419 192,326
Outcom e 14 totals by appropriation type
Administered expenses
Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill No. 1) 21,188 26,279
Non cash expenses - w rite dow n of assets 3 124,252 139,725
Special Accounts 140 140
Departmental expenses
Departmental appropriation4 24,401 24,603
Expenses not requiring appropriation in the budget year 5 1,438 1,579
Total expenses for Outcom e 14 171,419 192,326
2010-11 2011-12
Average staffing level (num ber) 165 168
1 The 2010-11 estimated actual and the 2011-12 estimated expenses are based on the new program structure to be
implemented 1 July 2011 by the department as part of the Health and Ageing Portfolio - administrative efficiencies
measure.
2 This program includes National Partnerships paid to state and territory governments by the Treasury as part of
the Federal Financial Relations (FFR) Framework. National partnerships are listed in this chapter under each
program. For budget estimates relating to the National Partnership component of the program, please refer to
Budget Paper 3 or Program 1.10 of the Treasury Portfolio Budget Statements.
3 Non cash expenses relate to the write down of the drug stockpile inventory due to expiration, consumption and
distribution.
4 Departmental appropriation combines ‘Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill No 1)’ and ‘Revenue from
independent sources (s31)’.
5 ‘Expenses not requiring appropriation in the budget year’ is made up of depreciation expense, amortisation
expense, make good expense and audit fees.
364
Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
Program 14.1: Health emergency planning and response
Program Objectives
Through Program 14.1, the Australian Government aims to:
undertake activities through the Health Protection Fund;
ensure that Australia’s health system has integrated and coordinated
arrangements in place to respond to national health emergencies and protect
the health of the community;
manage the human health risks posed by people, biological material, vessels
(aircraft and ships) and vectors (organisms that act as carriers or transporters
of infectious disease) entering Australia; and
minimise the risks posed by communicable disease threats, and reduce their
effect on society and the economy.
Major Activities
Health Protection Fund
Following a review of administrative arrangements in the Health and Ageing
Portfolio, the Australian Government will establish the Health Protection Fund.
The Health Protection Fund provides a flexible funding pool to support activities
to prepare for and respond to changing health protection priorities such as national
health emergencies, communicable disease outbreaks, natural disasters and
terrorist attacks. The table on page 819 shows the movement of programs into
funds as a result of the Strategic Review. The table identifies programs, as
previously described in the 2010-11 Portfolio Budget Statements, and the new
funds into which these programs have been consolidated. The department will
work closely with stakeholders over the course of 2011 to develop clear policy
objectives and operating parameters for the fund.
In 2011-12, the department will implement the recommendations of the Strategic
Review of the National Medical Stockpile which was led by the Department of
Finance and Deregulation. The review’s main recommendation is to adopt a more
commercial stock management model. This model will increase stock cycling
through regular consumers of medical items and therefore reduce the level of stock
disposal due to shelf life expiry. The review also recommends that the department
improve existing inventory management arrangements, review and improve
strategic plans and stock deployment procedures, and the level and composition of
the stockpile.
The Australian Government, through the department, will further revise the
National Health Emergency Response Arrangements in 2011-12 by developing and
refining emergency plans for chemical, biological and radiological incidents; and
Outco
me |
environmental health and natural disaster responses. In addition, the department
14
will commence planning for an exercise program, operating over the next three
years, to evaluate national health emergency management arrangements. The
exercises will evaluate AUSTRAUMAPLAN (the Domestic Response Plan for Mass
365
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
Casualty Incidents of National Consequence) and the Australian Health
Management Plan for Pandemic influenza.
The department will also commence updating the Australian Health Management
Plan for Pandemic Influenza to incorporate lessons learned from the 2009 influenza
pandemic. This update will include input from a range of stakeholders including
state and territory health departments, expert advisory and operational
committees, and the clinical community. The updated plan will reflect the best
evidence available, both nationally and internationally, on pandemic planning and
response. The plan will assist governments and health service providers to develop
strategies to maintain health functions and services during an influenza pandemic.
This work will result in a robust pandemic planning process for the Australian
Government, health service providers and the community.
In addition, the department will work with the Environmental Health
Subcommittee of the AHPC, other Australian Government agencies, state
and territory governments, and national stakeholder groups to implement the
National Environmental Health Strategy 2007-20121 through a number of projects
including the National Environmental Health Workforce Action Plan, finalisation of the
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health Strategy,
development of operational guidelines on a public health response to
environmental lead contamination, provision of new information for the general
public on asbestos management and a review of the national Health Impact
Assessment Guidelines.
The department will also support activities to ensure the supply of critical drugs
for prevention, testing and treatment of conditions such as rabies, tuberculosis and
venomous bites.
National health emergency planning and response
The department, through its membership of the AHPC, considers matters relating
to the management and coordination of national health emergencies. As the peak
health emergency management committee, the AHPC is responsible for
coordinating national health responses to emergencies. The committee includes
senior representatives from the Department of Defence, state and territory health
departments, Emergency Management Australia and the New Zealand Ministry of
Health.
The Australian Government also recognises that the Australian Red Cross Society
(Red Cross) plays a major role in responding to disasters. In 2011-12, the
Government will fund the Red Cross to support a broad range of health related
humanitarian work and community activities, both nationally and in the
Asia-Pacific region, including disaster preparedness, first aid, disaster response
and refugee services.
1 Available at: .
366
Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
Biosecurity, drug and chemical safety
A key priority for the Australian Government is the regulation of security sensitive
biological agents that may be deliberately used by terrorists to harm human health
or the Australian economy. These agents include bacteria and viruses, as well as
toxins derived from plants or bacteria.
In 2011–12, the department will continue to administer the Security Sensitive
Biological Agents Regulatory Scheme. Administration of the regulatory scheme
involves monitoring compliance with legislation regulating the facilities that
handle security sensitive biological agents. The Office of the Gene Technology
Regulator (OGTR)2 will continue to inspect facilities in accordance with the
requirements of the regulatory scheme. The department will also continue to raise
awareness among affected stakeholders, including universities, law enforcement
agencies, public and private diagnostic laboratories and veterinary laboratories, to
prevent potential misuse of security sensitive biological agents. The department
will also raise awareness through a dedicated website 3, the online training facility,
and the distribution of a regular stakeholder newsletter.
The department will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry in implementing the recommendations of One Biosecurity:
A Working Partnership - The Independent Review of Australia’s Quarantine and
Biosecurity Arrangements. Report to the Australian Government 2008 (Beale Report).4
In 2011-12, the department will work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry to reform Australia’s biosecurity system. Human biosecurity reforms
will include developing and implementing modern biosecurity legislation to
replace the Quarantine Act 1908, including movement to a risk-based system of
biosecurity intervention. The department, through the border health program, will
continue managing human health risks posed by people, biological material, and
vessels and vectors entering Australia. This includes developing policy on human
health measures at the border and providing support to the Director of Human
Quarantine, Chief Quarantine Officers and Quarantine Officers in the performance
of their roles under the Quarantine Act 1908.
Under the border health program, the department will collaborate with border
agencies, such as the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and industry
groups to implement human health policies at the border, manage the response to
emergencies and incidents requiring border health measures, and provide advice
on the import requirements for biological materials and human remains. The
department will also continue to provide advice to travellers and border agencies
on yellow fever vaccination requirements.
By June 2012, all member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) must
demonstrate their compliance with the requirements of the WHO International
Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). The department will undertake a number of
Outco
me |
14
2 For further information about the activities of the OGTR, please refer to Program 1.4 in these Portfolio Budget
Statements.
3 Available at: .
4 Available at: .
367
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
initiatives in 2011-12 to ensure compliance with the IHR by the deadline. A key
activity will be collaboration between the department and Australia’s international
airports and seaports to demonstrate their compliance with IHR requirements for
first points of entry. These requirements include the integration of health
emergency plans within airport and seaport emergency response arrangements.
The department will continue to work with other agencies, including the
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to implement COAG
agreed reforms to chemicals and plastics regulation recommended by the
Productivity Commission’s 2008 research report on chemicals and plastics
regulation.
The department provides human health risk assessment, health standard setting
and public health policy advice to the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary
Medicines Authority (APVMA), which administers the National Registration
Scheme for pesticides and veterinary medicines. The department will conduct
human health and safety risk assessments of chemicals and products for the
APVMA as well as participate in international reviews of some pesticide chemicals,
according to the terms of the service level agreement between the department and
the APVMA.
In 2011-12, the department will continue to determine the need for chemicals to be
included in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP)
under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. The SUSMP enables states and territories to
uniformly apply labelling standards and access controls to hazardous substances.
The department will also provide support to the Advisory Committee on
Chemicals Scheduling and the Advisory Committee on Medical Scheduling, which
provides advice to the department on chemical product labelling and access
controls.
The department will also continue to administer a licensing and permit regime
for controlled drugs and chemicals under the Customs (Prohibited Imports)
Regulations 1956, Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 and the Narcotic
Drugs Act 1967 and in line with obligations under the United Nations Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 and
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988.
The department will collate and provide statistical reports and forward relevant
information relating to drug controls to the International Narcotic Control Board in
line with obligations under the international drug treaties.
Minimise risks posed by communicable diseases
The Australian Government is committed to preventing the spread of
mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, from the Torres Strait Islands
to the mainland. Through the Aedes albopictus Prevention and Control in the
Torres Strait Program, the department will undertake a number of activities to
detect, control and eliminate exotic mosquitoes in the Torres Strait Islands and
mainland Australia. An expert group on mosquitoes, known as the Technical
Advisory Group, is responsible for reviewing and advising on the technical
368
Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
activities of the elimination program. The group provides advice on the general
elimination strategy, mosquito control methods and mosquito activity monitoring
as applied through the program. In addition, the National Arbovirus and Malaria
Advisory Committee provides broader expert advice on surveillance, vector
virology control, quarantine, clinical care and disease management. It also
provides technical advice to assist in the detection, management and control of
outbreaks.
The department will promote the control of container breeding mosquitoes by
educating communities in the Torres Strait Islands and North Queensland about
removing breeding sites to support the community council’s elimination activities.
The Australian Government aims to reduce the personal, social and economic
impact of communicable diseases on the community. In 2011-12, the department
will continue to implement communication initiatives to address health protection
issues, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, arising
from cross-border movement in the Torres Strait Treaty Zone between Papua
New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands.
Program 14.1 is linked as follows:
This program includes National Partnerships payments for:
- The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) at the Royal
Darwin Hospital;
- Torres Strait health protection strategy; and
- Human quarantine services.
These Partnerships payments are paid to state and territory governments by
the Treasury as part of the Federal Financial Relations (FFR) Framework. For
budget estimates relating to the National Partnership component of the
program, please refer to Budget Paper 3 or Program 1.10 of the Treasury
Portfolio Budget Statements.
The Australian Federal Police and Attorney-General’s Department for
biosecurity, drug and chemical safety.
The Department of Defence, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
Australian Federal Police, Attorney-General’s Department and Australian
Customs for national health emergency response activities.
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and
Attorney-General’s Department for environmental health.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Australian Customs
and Border Protection Service to ensure communication around cross border
health issues in the Torres Strait Treaty zone.
Outco
me |
14
369
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
Program 14.1 Expenses
Table 14.2: Program Expenses
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Estim ated Budget Forw ard Forw ard Forw ard
actual year 1 year 2 year 3
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Annual administered expenses
Ordinary annual services 21,188 26,279 18,996 19,773 20,093
Non cash expenses 1 124,252 139,725 3,791 27,918 27,918
Special account expenses
Human Pituitory Hormones
Special Account 140 140 140 140 140
Program support 25,839
- 26,182
- 27,958
- 28,143
- 25,769
Total Program 14.1 expenses 171,419 192,326 50,885 75,974 73,920
1 Non cash expenses relate to the write down of drug stockpile inventory due to expiration, consumption and
distribution.
Program 14.1: Deliverables5
The department will produce the following ‘deliverables’ to achieve the objectives
of Program 14.1.
Table 14.3: Qualitative Deliverables for Program 14.1
Qualitative Deliverables 2011-12 Reference Point or Target
Produce relevant and timely evidence-based Relevant evidence-based policy research
policy research produced in a timely manner
Stakeholders participate in program/policy Stakeholders participate in program
development development through avenues such as
regular consultative committees,
conferences, stakeholder engagement
forums, surveys, submissions on
departmental discussion papers and
meetings
Health Protection Fund
Consultation with stakeholders on Timely initial contact and follow up
implementation arrangements for the fund consultation where this is required
Establishment of administrative Administrative arrangements in place
arrangements for the fund
Implement the recommendations of the The main recommendations regarding
Strategic Review of the National Medical inventory management and stock disposal
Stockpile are implemented by 30 June 2012
5 As a result of the Strategic Review, deliverables may have changed from the 2010-11 Portfolio Budget Statements.
370
Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
Qualitative Deliverables 2011-12 Reference Point or Target
Develop and refine National Health The National Health Emergency Response
Emergency Response Arrangements Arrangements remain up to date
Plan and conduct national emergency The department will conduct at least one
exercises national health emergency exercise in
2011-12
Update the Australian Health Management Consult relevant stakeholders and review
Plan for Pandemic Influenza the Australian Health Management Plan for
Pandemic Influenza to reflect key lessons
identified during the response to pandemic
(H1N1) influenza 2009
Implement the fifth year of the National The fifth year of the strategy is implemented
Environmental Health Strategy 2007-2012 in 2011-12
Biosecurity, drug and chemical safety
Develop a risk assessment framework to The development of a risk assessment
support new biosecurity arrangements framework will commence in 2011-12, and is
to be finalised prior to the commencement of
new biosecurity legislation
Develop a plan for implementing Reforms are implemented effectively within
biosecurity reforms with Department of the timelines approved by Government,
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry whilst minimising disruption to affected
industries
Develop and disseminate policies in relation Policies in relation to border health are
to border health developed and disseminated in a timely
manner
Conduct ongoing human health and safety Completed within required timeframes and
assessments to the satisfaction of the Australian
Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority in accordance with the Service
Level Agreement
Annual and quarterly statistical reporting on Reporting, including coordination and
narcotics, psychotropic and precursor completion of questionnaires and
chemicals provided to the International information requests, completed by required
Narcotics Control Board (INCB) due dates to the satisfaction of the
International Narcotics Control Board
Minimise risks posed by communicable diseases
Assist in preventing the spread of dengue Monitor progress toward achieving the
Outco
fever (and other mosquito-borne diseases) agreed control monitoring and elimination
me |
14
throughout Australia strategies through performance benchmarks
371
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
Table 14.4: Quantitative Deliverables for Program 14.1
2010-11 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Quantitative 2011-12
Revised Forward Forward Forward
Deliverables Budget
Budget Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Percentage of variance
between actual and ≤0.5% ≤0.5% ≤0.5% ≤0.5% ≤0.5%
budgeted expenses
Biosecurity, drug and chemical safety
Percentage of
applications for the
import, export, and
manufacture of 98%
98% 98% 98% 98%
controlled substances
that are assessed and
processed within agreed
timeframes
Minimise risks posed by communicable diseases
Number of meetings
participated in between
Australian and Papua
New Guinea
government agencies to
discuss cross border 4 4 4 4 4
activities within the
Treaty Zone and
improve communication
links between Australia
and Papua New Guinea
372
Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
Program 14.1: Key Performance Indicators6
The following ‘key performance indicators’ measure the effectiveness of
Program 14.1 in meeting its objectives thereby contributing to the outcome.
Table 14.5: Qualitative Key Performance Indicators for Program 14.1
Qualitative Indicator 2011-12 Reference Point or Target
Health Protection Fund
Capacity for the timely deployment of the Deployment of the stockpile, either through
National Medical Stockpile exercise or live deployment, meets the six-
hour response benchmark
Containment of national health emergencies National health emergencies are successfully
through the timely engagement of national managed
health coordination mechanisms and
response plans
Strengthen national and international expert High level of collaborative partnerships
networks on health protection response amongst state and territory public health
units and experts to enhance Australia’s
preparedness and health protection response
to the global health environment
Biosecurity, drug and chemical safety
Perform human health risk assessments and Human health is protected from harmful
regulate access to chemicals and drugs chemicals and drugs. This is measured by
stakeholder acceptance of the timeliness and
quality of chemical assessments and related
human health standard-setting, and the
issuance of authorisations to access certain
chemicals and drugs
Minimise risks posed by communicable diseases
Reduce the risk of dengue fever and other The Queensland Government, the Technical
mosquito-borne diseases spreading in Advisory Group of the Program and the
Australia National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory
Committee will identify and show progress
toward achieving the agreed control
monitoring and elimination strategies.
The group will provide technical advice on
mosquito control and surveillance
Outco
me |
14
6 As a result of the Strategic Review, key performance indicators may have changed from the 2010-11 Portfolio
Budget Statements.
373
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
Qualitative Indicator 2011-12 Reference Point or Target
Improve communication and surveillance Better surveillance information will be more
between Australia and Papua New Guinea routinely shared between Australia and
Papua New Guinea to enhance a joint
understanding of emerging disease threats
in the Torres Strait region
Table 14.6: Quantitative Key Performance Indicators for Program 14.1
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Quantitative
Revised Budget Forward Forward Forward
Indicators
Budget Target Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Biosecurity, drug and chemical safety
Percentage of
departmental and
Australian Quarantine
Inspection Service
60% 60% 60% 60% 60%
Human Quarantine
Officers who participate
in human quarantine
training7
Percentage of
international points of
5% 50% 100% 100% 100%
entry with health
emergency plans8
Percentage of facilities
registered to handle
security sensitive
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
biological agents that are
compliant with
mandatory standards
7 Training of state/territory quarantine officers has been amended from the total number of officers attending
human quarantine training in 2010-11 to the percentage of officers attending training in 2011-12. This provides a
more comprehensive indicator of support provided by the department.
8 In the 2010-11 Portfolio Budget Statements, this key performance indicator was reported as a deliverable. It has
been moved in 2011-12 as it is a better representation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s
activities. The designation and evaluation of Australian airports and seaports will now commence in 2011-12.
Some airports have initiated the integration of health emergency plans with their broader emergency planning
framework ahead of the formal commencement of this designation process.
374
Section 2 – Department Outcomes – 14 Biosecurity and Emergency Response
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Quantitative
Revised Budget Forward Forward Forward
Indicators
Budget Target Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Percentage of human
health and safety
risk assessments
for pesticides and
veterinary medicines 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
made within agreed
timeframes and pass
performance standards
assessment
Percentage of
recommendations for
standards relating to the
supply of human
medicines, pesticides, 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
veterinary medicines
and other chemicals
made within statutory
timeframes
Outco
me |
14
375
Budget Statements – Department of Health and Ageing
376